By COLlive reporter
R’ Shimi Segal, a Chabad chossid who is a veteran media professional, has been appointed as the spokesman of Chabad in the holy land of Israel, Rabbi Naftali Lispker of the Tzeirei Agudas Chabad (Tzach) in Israel has announced this past week.
Over the past 25 years, Segal has served in various roles within Chabad and haredi media, including print, electronic platforms, and radio, as a presenter, writer, and editor-in-chief. He also previously served as a member of the Youth Forum under former President Shimon Peres.
In recent years, Segal has served as the spokesperson and head of the public relations department for ALEH, a national network serving children and individuals with disabilities.
A year ago, Segal helped coordinate the visit to the United States of families who have relatives being held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Hundreds of relatives traveled to New York to daven at the Rebbe’s Ohel and then continued to Washington, DC, to lobby elected officials.
The spokesmanship role was previously held by R’ Berke Wolff, the legendary chossid and activist who worked diligently to publicize the Rebbe’s views and Chabad’s growing activities in the media. After his passing, the role was filled by Rabbi Menachem Brod, a skilled writer and author who created and edited the pioneering weekly pamphlet Sichat HaShavua. In recent years, Rabbi Brod was assisted by R’ Moni Ander.
Rabbi Lispker said that Segal will also as the Chabad Shliach in the Knesset – Israel’s parliament, as well as national government offices.
“These appointments are both natural and necessary,” said Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Aharonov, chairman of Tzach and Agudas Chassidei Chabad, “especially in light of the tremendous growth in the activities of the Rebbe’s emissaries and Chabad House directors throughout the Holy Land, alongside the expansion of Chabad educational institutions and communities nationwide. The mission entrusted to us by the Rebbe continues with full vigor, constantly breaking new ground for the benefit of the Jewish people.”
“My family and I are deeply moved by the great privilege to join the largest Jewish family—the family of the Rebbe’s Shluchim,” Segal said. “Serving as Chabad’s spokesperson, alongside my role as the official Chabad representative in the Knesset and government, are both challenging and significant tasks. I pray and hope for Divine assistance and the Rebbe’s blessings to succeed in these important missions across all arenas, helping to realize the Rebbe’s vision of bringing every Jew closer and hastening the arrival of the ultimate and complete redemption.”
